Automatic modulating mechanism for musical instruments.



P. WELIN.

AUTOMATIC MODULATING MECHANISM FOR MUSIOAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.7. 1907.-

1,034:,O48. Patented July 30, 1912.

4' sums-3mm 1v W7es$ I mn/or:

P. WELIN. AUTOMATIC MODULATING MEGHANISM FOR MUSIGAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 7. 1907. 1,034,048.

Patented July so, 1912.

refer file/1 17 I P. WEB-IN. AUTOMATIC MODULATING Mscmuism roa' MUSIGALINSTBUMENTS.

Patented July 30, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7. 1907.

I ,1? 4 4 hm, TDD/fie s s e s Isle/ma h. 4 9/ Wk y/ 9415 Nukms mus. IN: Llmm. WASHINHOII. a. c.

, r P. WELIN. AUTOMATIGQYIODULATING MECHANISM FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

: APPLICATION-FILED JAN. 7, 1907 1,034,048-

Patented July 30, 1912.

4 SHEETS-$13331 4.

these channels are employed, eleven at each end ofthe tracker-bar, but they may be scattered through the tracker-bar at regular or irregular intervals, as desired.

In order to operate from the perforated music sheet the devices which are connected with the channels 12, the sheet is shown in Fig. 2, as provided with perforations 14 which are adapted to pass over the several channels 12. These perforations are preferably made slightly in advance of the regular note perforations 15, provided the channels- 11 and 12 are in alinement with each other. If the forward edges of the two sets of perforatio-nsin the music sheet are in alinemcnt, then the channels 12 are offset slight-l from the channels 11. for giving the throttling action a little time toplace the parts in position prior to the sounding of the note.

Each of the channels 12 is connected with a modulating channel 16 by means of a pipe or tube 17 The modulating channels 16 are located in the channel board 18 and each one of them is connected with one or more perforations 19. In the present instance, as 22 channels 16 are used,'each one is shown as being connected with three of the perforations 19. Each of the perforations 19 communicates through a channel 20 with a pneumatic 21. This pneumatic operates a valve 22 which controls a channel 23. When the pneumatic is in ordinary position, the valve connects this channel with the suction chamber and when raised it connects it with the outside air, so as to raise a throttling pneumatic 24 to throttle a passage 25 through which connection is made from a suction chamber 26 through a passage 27 to the striking pneumatic 28. Therefore, when one of the channels 12 is opened, the corresponding number of throttle valves are lifted ready to throttle the corresponding striking pneumatics,.no other action, however, taking place until a perforation in the music sheet comes over one of the corresponding passages 11. Then an impulse will pass from the channel 11 to the ordinary note playing pipe 30 through the channel board 18. This is connected through a passage 31 with a primary pneumatic 32 which operates a primary valve 33 to cut off a connection 34 from a suction chamber in which the primary valve is located and connect the passage with the outside air. This sends an impulse to a secondary pneumatic 35 which opens a valve 36 to permit the striking pneumatic 28 to be connected with suction chamber 26 through the throttled opening 25. at the same time shutting the pneumatic 28 off from the outside air. 4

It is to be noted that the upper side of the pn'eumatic 35 is in a chamber which com municates with the suction chamber 26 only This is to provide through the opening 25. The purpose of this construction is to prevent athumping action which takes place on the part of the secondary valve in those constructions in which the latter is located in the main suction. chamber 26. By having this passage throttled in the same manner as the passage to the striking pneumatic. this thumping action is avoided during the striking of the modulated notes. The suction chambers are connected with a suction chamber in the channel board 18 by means of passages 37, as shown in Fig. 1.

From. the above dcscription it will. be seen that the above mentioned objects are accomplished in a simple and efficient manner by the application of the principle of this invention.

For a more particular description of the apparatus which has been chosen for illustrating the invention, reference is to be had to the remainingfigures of the drawing.

The channel board 18 is preferably made up of a series of plates 38, 39, 10 and 41. In the front board 38 are the perforations 19, 31 and 37, each set of these three perforations being connected with one of the striking pneumatic valve boxes. The sec tion 39 contains the suction chamber which has been referred to, and which is connected with the passages 37. The section 40 contains the channel 16. The back board section 11 is perforated to receive the pipes 17 and also to connect the channels 16 with a bleeder valve box, the object of which is to restore the pneumatics 21 to their normal condition under suction after they have been disconnected from the outcr air. The manner in which this is brought about will be seen by reference to Figs. 1 and 5. Each of the modulating channels is directly connected to a pneumatic 12 on which rests a valve a3 provided with a spring 44; for assisting in returning it to the position in which it occupies when there is no air under the pneumatic. At the end of the valve 13 is a perforation 15 connected with a channel 16 which comn'utu'iicates with the modulating channel. The chamber L7 in which the valve located communicates with the suction chamber and is always under suction. When the end of the modulating channel in the tracker-bar is closed, the chamber 47 connnunicates through the passage 45 and channel 16 with the modulating channel. When an impulse of air passes into the modulating channel it operates the pneumatic 12 to close the valve and cut the modulating channel off from communication with suction and permits the impulse of air to act on the pneumatics 21 in the manner above described. As soon as the modulating channel in the tracker-bar is closed, and leakage commences to take place the spring 44 tends to push the valve 43 away from its '61, which in turn is held by a clam nuances seat and restore the elements to normal condition when the channel 46 will again be connected with the suction so as to bleed the channel 16. One of these valves is of course, used for each of the channels 16.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8, a construction and arrangement of the primary, secondary, modulating, and throttling valves are shown and also their connections with the striking pneumatic and the other elements. In this form the primary valve 33 is located in the suction chamber 26 instead of being a separate construction as indicated in Fig, 9.

The other features, however, correspond substantially to what is shown in Fig. 9 but with certain additions; The throttling valve 24 is shown as being normally forced fromits seat by a regulating spring 50, which the springto give more or less pressure to the throttle valve. For the purpose of moving the block back and forth and adjusting its position, a screw 52 is provided extend ing outside of the pneumaticso that it can be readily reached for operation. This screw is held in adjusted position by a plate 62 secured by the boltswhich hold the valveboxes.

'The valve 22 is shown as of a differential character. That is, its two valve members, 53 and 5- are movable independently of each other although they'are movable togetheralso. The member 58 is adjustably mounted on the valve stem 535 but the mem- ,.ber 54 is freely slidable thereon. A spring 56 normally holds said members apart. The

action is first to positively close the valve member 53 and later. open the valve member 54' so that connection of the passage 23' with the suction will be closed before the passage is connected to the outside air. Such a valve may be used in place of valve 33 and in various other places. It will be seen therefore that the construction shown in Figs. 1 to Sinclusive constitutesa practical,

efficient and simple embodiment of the principles diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 9, andthat additional features of the invention are also shown therein.

While I have illustrated and described a particular "form in which my invention may conveniently be embodied, I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the particular form shown but What I do claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is 1. In a music playing device, the combination of a tracker having note channels and supplementary channels, a striking pneumatic, a suction chamber, a passage between the suction chamber and striking pneumatic, means controlled from a note channel of the tracker for closing or opening said passage to the suction chamber to operate said striking pneumatic, a modulating device in said suction chamber for rest-rioting and controlling said passage, and means controlled from 'a supplementary channel of the tracker for operating said modulating device.

2. In a music playing device, the combination with a striking pneumatic, of a suction chamber, a connection between the suction chamber and, striking pneumatic, a valve for controlling said connection, a pneumatic in constant unrestricted communication with said connection for operating said valve, :1 throttle valve for partially closing said connection, and 'a pneumatic in the suction chamber for operating the throttle valve, said throttle valve being operated independently of the first named valve.

3. In a music playing device, the combi nation with a tracker-bar having note channels and a supplementary channel and a striking pneumatic, of a source of air tension, a passage'bet'ween said source of air tension and said striking pneumatic, a valve for controlling said passage, means connected with one of the note channels for controlling said valve, a throttle valve between the source of air tension and the first i named valve for partially closing said passage between said striking pneumatic and the source ofair tension, and means controlled by said supplementary channel for operating the throttle valve independently of thefirstnamed valve.

4. In a music playing device, the combination with'a tracker-bar having note chani es 5. Ina music playing device, the combination of a striking pneumatic, a valve for controlling the op ration of the same, a Suction chamber, a throttling valve for controlling the communication between the suction chamber and first mentioned valve a spring for normally holding the throttling valve away from its seat, and means for adjusting the tension of said spring.

6, Ina music playing device, the combination of a striking pneumatic, a source of air tension, a passage from the striking pneumatic to the source of air tension, a throttling valve in said passage for throttling it, a spring for normally forcing said valve from its seatymeans for operating said valve, and means for adjusting the tension of said spring comprising a movable block engaging the spring.

7. In-a musical instrument, the combinationof a striking pneumatic, a suction chamber connected therewith, a valve for throttling theconnection between said suction chamber; and striking pneumatic, a spring for normally holding said valve away from its seat, said, spring having a shank inclined with respect to the wallot the passage in which it is located, and a block movable along the wall: of said passage for adjusting the tension ofsaid spring. v

8. In a music playing device, the combination of a striking pneumatic, a suction cham ber connected therewith, a valve for-throttlingthe connection between,- saidsuction chamber. and striking pneumatic, a spring ther efor hav'ing a shank located at an. angle with respect to the wall of the passage in whichiit islocated, a block movablebetween saidshanlrand passage for regulating the tension ofthe spring, and a screw foradjusting the position of said block. I 9. In a music playing device, the combination of a striking pneumatic, a suction chamber connected therewith, a valve for throttling Ithoeonnection between said suction chamber and striking pneumatic, aspring for said valve havin a shank located at an angle with respect tcthe'wall of the passage in which itis' located, a. block movable be tween said shankand passage for regulating the tension of the spring, a screw for adjusting the block, a nut on the screw, and a clamp for holding the nut in adjusting positions.

10. In a ,music playing device, the combination of a striking pneumatic with a valve box having a suction chamber connected with said pneumatic, a valve for controlling the connection between saidpneumatic and suction chamber, a screw for regulating said valve, a plate on the screw, means for trans mitting motion of the screw to said valve, a clamping device for clamping the plate against the valve box, and means for holding the amping device,

11. In a music playing device, 'the combination of'a tracker having note and modulatin'g channels, a source of air tension, a striking pneumatic, a passage for connecting said pneumatic with the source of air ten-- sion, means insaid passage for opening and closing said passage, means communicating with said passage and controlled from said note channels for operating saidopening and closing means, means in said source of air tenslon for restricting the passage of air through said passage, and means con-- trolled from said modulating channels for operating the restricting means.

12. In a music playing device, the combination of a tracker having note and modulating channels, a series of striking pneumatics, a source of air tension; a passage connecting each of said striking pneumatics with the source of air tension, means in each of said passages for opening. and closing each of said passages, said means being controlled from the note channels of the tracker,

means in said source of air tension for restricting the passage of air through one of the,. passages, and means, controlled from each of said modulating channels in the tracker for operating a plurality of said restricting means.

13. In a music playing device, the combination of a tracker having note and modulating channels, a .series of striking pneu- .matics, a passage; connecting each of said with said channel, and a bleeding devicenormally connected with the suction chamher and comprising a valve adapted to be closed by the pneumatic when the air passes through the-ch annel to disconnect said channel from the suction chamber.

15. In a music playing device, the combination of a valve, a pneumatic for operating said valve, a modulating channel connected with said pneumatic, a suction chamber, a

passage through which saidsuction chamber is normally connected withsa'id modulating channel, a valve serving to closesaid passage, and means for closing the valve-when air is admitted to the modulatingichannel.

16. A bleeder for a musical instrument, comprising an air ch.annel, a chamber con-v nected with a source of air tension, a pneumatic in said chamber, a valve resting on. the pneumatic, said chamber having a passage A connected with said air channel and adapted to be closed by -said valve, and means for connecting the other side of the pneumatic with said channel.

channels and note channels, a striking pneumatic, means controlled from one of the note channels for operating said pneumatic, a throttling valve adapted to control the operation of said striking pneumatic, means controlled from, one of the modulating channels for operating said throttling valve, a spring for normally holding said valve away. from its seat, and a screw for adjusting the tension of said spring.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PETER WELIN.

Witnesses:

ALMA E. YAGER, EDWIN B. PFAU.

Copies of this patent may he obtained for five cents each; by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

' Washington, D. G. g 

